Chandigarh, February 21

The Punjab Congress while targeting CM Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday sought the registration of an FIR against Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij for the death of 21-year-old farmer Shubhkaran Singh at the Khanauri border.

Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring said a formal communication had been sent to the Punjab Chief Minister to register the case against the Haryana Home Minister for being responsible for the death of the youth who was part of the protesting farmers. There was need for immediate action to book the Haryana Home Minister and Ambala Superintendent of Police, he said.

He called the action of the Haryana Police against Punjab farmers unlawful, citing instances of excessive force including the deployment of rubber bullets and tear gas against demonstrators who were peacefully assembled within Punjab’s jurisdiction.

Leader of Opposition Partap Bajwa slammed the Punjab Chief Minister for his “failure” to stop the BJP-led Haryana government from firing rubber bullets in Punjab’s jurisdiction.

Bajwa said, “The Haryana police have been firing tear gas shells and rubber bullets since February 13. However, the Punjab CM had miserably failed to lodge an FIR against the Haryana Police and Haryana Home Minister.”

“I, as Leader of the Opposition, have repeatedly exhorted the Punjab government to lodge an FIR and take legal action. Instead of doing this, the CM remained busy mediating between the farmers and the central government. It shows CM Mann has developed proximity with the BJP and has become its puppet,” Bajwa added.

Former CM Charanjit Channi said the double standards of the Punjab CM in the farmers’ agitation are out in the open. “While he has been attending meetings with central ministers, he has failed to register a case against Haryana for committing atrocities on the protesting farmers.” He said a case of murder should have been registered against the Haryana Home Minister and police officials responsible for the killing of the youth farmer.